THERE is the possibility of it feeling akin to the morning after the night before.

As Celtic Park looks to celebrate the decade of service from their captain, Scott Brown, there could be something a little extra to fuel the party spirit. Coming the day after the William Hill Scottish Cup final, former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has voiced his hope that he will be raising a glass to more than just the contribution made to the Parkhead club by Brown when he brings his Republic of Ireland side to Glasgow to play in the testimonial match.

The real fizz of the afternoon may well be provided by what has gone before as Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic look to hone in on an unprecedented back-to-back Treble.

“I understand that the game comes straight on the back of the Scottish Cup final – wouldn’t it be fantastic to be there the day after Celtic win another Treble?” said O’Neill. “I understand that would break some new ground where Scottish football is concerned and I am sure the old ground would be rocking, absolutely rocking.

“Brendan, of course, won’t be worrying about that just now but whatever happens it is bound to be a fabulous occasion. It will be a wonderful afternoon regardless but it would be lovely to come back and see that [a second successive Treble], wouldn’t it?”

O’Neill, of course, knows full well what it takes to deliver a clean sweep, just as he knows just what it is to break fresh ground at the club. It was the Irishman who delivered Celtic’s first Treble success since Jock Stein, who took Celtic into the group stages of the Champions League for the first time, who led them to a European final after a 33-year absence and who oversaw an unbeaten Celtic side domestically on their own stomping ground in a spell that ran from 2001 until 2004.

In short, it was O’Neill who firmly led Celtic out of Rangers’ shadow.

Whether Brendan Rodgers delivers a back-to-back Treble or not, O’Neill will be assured of a reception every bit as appreciative as that bestowed to his countryman; “ah, that’s kind, that’s kind but it was a long time ago now…” trailed O’Neill when he was asked about walking into a hero’s welcome.

The 66-year-old returned to Celtic Park in 2014 for a European Championship qualifier, but this is the first time he will return to an audience made up exclusively of Celtic fans. O’Neill has been invited back by the club at times over the years for high-profile games but has opted to allow others to take their time in the limelight, although he was part of the 50-year Lisbon Lion celebrations at the Hydro last summer.

“I am absolutely looking forward to coming back,” he said. “I loved my years at Celtic. It is a special club, which should not sound patronising at all. It’s a fairly lengthy period of time since I was working at Celtic – 13 years ago if you can believe that – and time moves on but it will be lovely to come back.

“What I have really enjoyed seeing from a distance is the vibrancy and energy that is back at the club – the place seems full and there has been a good team on the park for everyone to get behind with a really good way of playing football.

“But what I love about Celtic is the chance to see the guys I worked with at that time. Watching so many of them go on and do well has been really satisfying. I know how much it meant to Neil [Lennon] to get the chance to manage the club and he is doing wonderfully well. Hopefully there will be a chance to catch up with him. I love that.

“There are so many other memories of my time at the football club. It was a really enjoyable time in my career. The chance to work with Henrik [Larsson], the man himself, and Lubo [Moravcik] – these guys were such a pleasure. It was a fantastic time in my career and I think it says something about the club that you have players of the ilk of Henrik and Lubo who wouldn’t have known much at all really about Celtic before they arrived but who retain a real and genuine affection for the club long after their time has come to an end.

“But, as I say, what I have enjoyed seeing lately is the way that Brendan has brought a real sense of urgency and energy to the club. You can tell the lift the place got just with him coming in and he has done tremendously well.”

O’Neill, believes too, that his Republic of Ireland side are a particularly good fit for Celtic given the history of the Parkhead club.

“There remains to this day significant numbers of Irish fans who travel across to watch Celtic and the club has huge links with the Irish community,” he said.

“There is a historical reason for that. The club was set up by Brother Walfrid to initially support the Irish immigrant community at that time. The charitable arm of the club remains influential to this day and this game, which I am sure will be well backed, will raise significant funds for charity.”